1. LIFE &LIFE &
CULTURE INCULTURE IN
AMERICA INAMERICA IN
THE 1920STHE 1920S
THETHE
ROARINGROARING
TWENTIESTWENTIES
2. America at theAmerica at the
Start of the DecadeStart of the Decade
Victorious inVictorious in
World War IWorld War I
Treaty ofTreaty of
VersaillesVersailles
defeateddefeated
Period ofPeriod of
isolationismisolationism
RepublicanRepublican
ascendancyascendancy Returning WWI soldiers parading in Minneapolis
3. The Election of 1920The Election of 1920
GOP nominated Ohio Sen.GOP nominated Ohio Sen.
Warren G. HardingWarren G. Harding
““Normalcy”Normalcy”
Democrats ran Ohio Gov.Democrats ran Ohio Gov.
James M. CoxJames M. Cox
Coolidge as GOP VPCoolidge as GOP VP
candidatecandidate
FDR as Democratic VPFDR as Democratic VP
candidatecandidate
Republican landslideRepublican landslide
Warren G. Harding
5. Pres. Warren G. Harding-Pres. Warren G. Harding-
19201920
Vice-President: Calvin CoolidgeVice-President: Calvin Coolidge
Gone were the days of Wilson andGone were the days of Wilson and
Idealism!Idealism!
Harding promised:Harding promised:
Lower TaxesLower Taxes
Higher TariffsHigher Tariffs
Restrictions on immigrationRestrictions on immigration
Aid to farmersAid to farmers
“A return to
NORMALCY”
6. Harding appointed someHarding appointed some
very qualified people tovery qualified people to
his administration.his administration.
However, he alsoHowever, he also
appointed several lessappointed several less
qualifiedqualified
people from his home statepeople from his home state
of Ohio whoof Ohio who
eventually engaged in as host ofeventually engaged in as host of
corrupt activities for personal gain.corrupt activities for personal gain.
“OHIO GANG”
7. The Teapot Dome Scandal
• In the early part of the 20th
century large oil reserves
were discovered in Elk Hills, California and Teapot
Dome, Wyoming.
Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center on the Teapot Dome
Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 3 near Midwest, Wyoming.
8. • In 1912 President William Taft
decided that the government owned
the land and its’ oil reserves should
be set aside for the use of the
United States Navy.
• On 4th June, 1920, Congress passed a bill that stated that the
Secretary of the Navy would have the power "to conserve,
develop, use and operate the same in his discretion, directly or
by contract, lease, or otherwise, and to use, store, exchange, or
sell the oil and gas products thereof, and those from all royalty
oil from lands in the naval reserves, for the benefit of the
United States."
9. • In March of 1921, President Warren Harding appointed
Albert Fall as Secretary of the Interior.
Pres. Warren Harding Secretary of the
Interior Albert Fall
10. Secretary of the
Interior Albert Fall
Harry
Sinclair
(Mammoth
Oil Corp.)
Edward L.
Doheny (Pan-
American
Petroleum)
Yo, Albert buddy!
How about letting
Edward and I drill for
oil in Elk Hills and
Teapot Dome!
But that’s
Naval
property! You
can’t drill
there!
Maybe $100,000
would help you
change your mind!
Why didn’t
you say so,
Ed? You’ve
got a deal!
11. • Later that year Fall decided that two of his friends,
Harry F. Sinclair (Mammoth Oil Corporation) and Edward L.
Doheny (Pan-American Petroleum and Transport Company),
should be allowed to lease part of these Naval Reserves. There
was NO evidence that Harding was involved in any way.
• In 1923, Harding
died of a heart attack.
Vice-President Calvin
Coolidge took over.
12. • In 1927, Fall was found guilty of accepting a $100,000 bribe
from Doheny. He was forced to resign from office and spent
one year in jail. Fall was the first cabinet member to
be convicted of a crime while in office.
• The land was naval property, and should not have been
leased to private oil companies.
13.
14. Pres. Calvin CoolidgePres. Calvin Coolidge
Harding’s death in 1923Harding’s death in 1923
brought Coolidge to thebrought Coolidge to the
presidency.presidency.
In 1924, Americans voted toIn 1924, Americans voted to
Coolidge’s businessCoolidge’s business
policy was laissezpolicy was laissez
faire :faire :
Between 1921and 1929Between 1921and 1929
the output of industrythe output of industry
nearly Doublednearly Doubled
“Keep cool with
Coolidge”
16. The new president,The new president,
Calvin CoolidgeCalvin Coolidge , fit, fit
thethe pro-businesspro-business spiritspirit
of the 1920s very wellof the 1920s very well
His famous quoteHis famous quote ::
“The chief business of“The chief business of
the American peoplethe American people
is business . . .theis business . . .the
man who builds aman who builds a
factory builds afactory builds a
temple – the man whotemple – the man who
works there worshipsworks there worships
there”there”
President Calvin Coolidge
1924-1928
17. Americans on the MoveAmericans on the Move
Urbanization stillUrbanization still
accelerating.accelerating.
More AmericansMore Americans
lived in citieslived in cities
than in ruralthan in rural
areasareas
1920:1920:
New York 5New York 5
millionmillion
Chicago 3 millionChicago 3 million
18. URBAN VS. RURALURBAN VS. RURAL
Farms started to struggle post-Farms started to struggle post-
WWI.WWI.
6 million moved to urban areas6 million moved to urban areas
Urban life was considered aUrban life was considered a
world of anonymous crowds,world of anonymous crowds,
strangers, moneymakers, andstrangers, moneymakers, and
pleasure seekers.pleasure seekers.
Rural life was considered to beRural life was considered to be
safe, with close personal ties,safe, with close personal ties,
hard work and morals.hard work and morals.
Suburban boom: trolleys,Suburban boom: trolleys,
street cars etc.street cars etc.
Cities were impersonal
Farms were innocent
19. Demographical ChangesDemographical Changes
Demographics:Demographics:
statistics that describestatistics that describe
a population.a population.
Real Time Demographics
Migration NorthMigration North
African AmericansAfrican Americans
moving north at rapidmoving north at rapid
pace.pace.
Why?Why?
Jim Crow lawsJim Crow laws
New job opportunitiesNew job opportunities
in northin north
1860 – 93% in south1860 – 93% in south
1930 – 80% in south1930 – 80% in south
Struggles:Struggles:
Faced hatred fromFaced hatred from
whiteswhites
Forced low wagesForced low wages
20. Other MigrationOther Migration
Post-WWI: European refugees toPost-WWI: European refugees to
AmericaAmerica
Limited immigration in 1920s fromLimited immigration in 1920s from
Europe and Asia.Europe and Asia.
Employers turned to Mexican andEmployers turned to Mexican and
Canadian immigrants to work.Canadian immigrants to work.
As a result: barrios createdAs a result: barrios created
Spanish speaking neighborhoods.Spanish speaking neighborhoods.
21. THE TWENTIES WOMANTHE TWENTIES WOMAN
After the tumult ofAfter the tumult of
World War I, AmericansWorld War I, Americans
were looking for a littlewere looking for a little
fun in the 1920s.fun in the 1920s.
Women wereWomen were
independent andindependent and
achieving greaterachieving greater
freedoms.freedoms.
ie. right to vote, moreie. right to vote, more
employment, freedomemployment, freedom
of the autoof the auto
Chicago
1926
22. THE FLAPPERTHE FLAPPER
Challenged theChallenged the
traditional ways.traditional ways.
Revolution ofRevolution of
manners andmanners and
morals.morals.
A Flapper was anA Flapper was an
emancipated youngemancipated young
woman whowoman who
embraced the newembraced the new
fashions and urbanfashions and urban
attitudes.attitudes.
23. NEW ROLES FORNEW ROLES FOR
WOMENWOMEN
Many women entered the workplace asMany women entered the workplace as
nurses, teachers, librarians, & secretaries.nurses, teachers, librarians, & secretaries.
Earned less than men and were preventedEarned less than men and were prevented
from obtaining certain jobs.from obtaining certain jobs.
Early 20th
Century teachers
24. THE CHANGINGTHE CHANGING
AMERICAN FAMILYAMERICAN FAMILY
American birthratesAmerican birthrates
declineddeclined for severalfor several
decades before thedecades before the
1920s.1920s.
Trend continues inTrend continues in
1920s with1920s with
development of birthdevelopment of birth
control.control.
Margaret SangerMargaret Sanger
Birth control activistBirth control activist
Founder of AmericanFounder of American
Birth Control LeagueBirth Control League
ie. Plannedie. Planned
ParenthoodParenthood
Margaret Sanger and other
founders of the American Birth
Control League - 1921
25. MODERNMODERN
FAMILYFAMILY
EMERGESEMERGES
Marriage was basedMarriage was based
onon romantic loveromantic love..
Women managedWomen managed
the household andthe household and
finances.finances.
Children were notChildren were not
considered laborers/considered laborers/
wage earnerswage earners
anymore.anymore.
Seen as developingSeen as developing
children whochildren who
needed nurturingneeded nurturing
and educationand education
27. PROHIBITIONPROHIBITION
One example ofOne example of
the clash betweenthe clash between
city & farm wascity & farm was
the passage of thethe passage of the
1818thth
Amendment inAmendment in
1920.1920.
Launched eraLaunched era
known asknown as
ProhibitionProhibition
Made it illegal toMade it illegal to
make, distribute,make, distribute,
sell, transport orsell, transport or
consume liquor.consume liquor.
Prohibition lasted from 1920
to 1933 when it was repealed
by the 21st
Amendment
28. SUPPORT FORSUPPORT FOR
PROHIBITIONPROHIBITION
Reformers had longReformers had long
believed alcohol ledbelieved alcohol led
to crime, child &to crime, child &
wife abuse, andwife abuse, and
accidentsaccidents
Supporters wereSupporters were
largely from thelargely from the
rural south and westrural south and west
30. SPEAKEASIES ANDSPEAKEASIES AND
BOOTLEGGERSBOOTLEGGERS Many Americans did notMany Americans did not
believe drinking was abelieve drinking was a
sinsin
Most immigrant groupsMost immigrant groups
were not willing to givewere not willing to give
up drinkingup drinking
To obtain liquor, drinkersTo obtain liquor, drinkers
went underground towent underground to
hidden saloons known ashidden saloons known as
speakeasiesspeakeasies
People also bought liquorPeople also bought liquor
fromfrom bootleggersbootleggers whowho
smuggled it in fromsmuggled it in from
Canada, Cuba and theCanada, Cuba and the
West IndiesWest Indies
All of these activities becameAll of these activities became
closely affiliated with …closely affiliated with …
Speakeasies
31. ORGANIZEDORGANIZED
CRIMECRIME
Prohibition contributed toProhibition contributed to
the growth of organizedthe growth of organized
crime in every major citycrime in every major city
Al Capone –Al Capone –
Chicago, IllinoisChicago, Illinois
famous bootleggerfamous bootlegger
““Scarface”Scarface”
60 million yr (bootleg alone)60 million yr (bootleg alone)
Capone took control of theCapone took control of the
Chicago liquor businessChicago liquor business
by killing off hisby killing off his
competitioncompetition
Talent for avoiding jailTalent for avoiding jail
1931 sent to prision for tax-1931 sent to prision for tax-
Al Capone was finally convicted
on tax evasion charges in 1931
32. RacketeeringRacketeering
Illegal business scheme to make profit.Illegal business scheme to make profit.
Gangsters bribed police or gov’t officials.Gangsters bribed police or gov’t officials.
Forced local businesses a fee for “protection”.Forced local businesses a fee for “protection”.
No fee - gunned down or businesses blown to bitsNo fee - gunned down or businesses blown to bits
33. St. Valentine’s Day MassacreSt. Valentine’s Day Massacre
Valentines Day –Valentines Day –
February 14, 1929February 14, 1929
Rival between Al CaponeRival between Al Capone
and Bugs Moranand Bugs Moran
Capone – South SideCapone – South Side
Italian gangItalian gang
Moran – North Side IrishMoran – North Side Irish
ganggang
Bloody murder of 7 ofBloody murder of 7 of
Moran’s men.Moran’s men.
Capone’s men dressed asCapone’s men dressed as
copscops
34. GOVERNMENT FAILSGOVERNMENT FAILS
TO CONTROL LIQUORTO CONTROL LIQUOR
Prohibition failed:Prohibition failed:
Why? Government didWhy? Government did
not budget enoughnot budget enough
money to enforce themoney to enforce the
lawlaw
The task of enforcingThe task of enforcing
Prohibition fell toProhibition fell to
1,500 poorly paid1,500 poorly paid
federal agents ---federal agents ---
clearly an impossibleclearly an impossible
task!task!
Federal agents pour wine
down a sewer
35. SUPPORT FADES,SUPPORT FADES,
PROHIBITION REPEALEDPROHIBITION REPEALED
By the mid-1920s, onlyBy the mid-1920s, only
19% of Americans19% of Americans
supported Prohibitionsupported Prohibition
Many felt ProhibitionMany felt Prohibition
caused more problemscaused more problems
than it solvedthan it solved
What problems did itWhat problems did it
cause?cause?
The 21The 21stst
AmendmentAmendment
finallyfinally repealedrepealed
Prohibition in 1933Prohibition in 1933
36. SCIENCE ANDSCIENCE AND
RELIGION CLASHRELIGION CLASH
Fundamentalists vs. Secular thinkersFundamentalists vs. Secular thinkers
The Protestant movement - literal interpretation of theThe Protestant movement - literal interpretation of the
bible is known as fundamentalismbible is known as fundamentalism
FundamentalistsFundamentalists found all truth in the biblefound all truth in the bible – including– including
science & evolutionscience & evolution
37. SCOPES TRIALSCOPES TRIAL
In March 1925,In March 1925,
TennesseeTennessee
passed thepassed the
nation’s first lawnation’s first law
that made it athat made it a
crime to teachcrime to teach
evolutionevolution
The ACLUThe ACLU
promised topromised to
defend anydefend any
teacher willing toteacher willing to
challenge the lawchallenge the law
Scopes was a biology teacher who
dared to teach his students that man
derived from lower species
38. SCOPES TRIALSCOPES TRIAL
The ACLU hiredThe ACLU hired
Clarence Darrow,Clarence Darrow,
the most famousthe most famous
trial lawyer of thetrial lawyer of the
era, to defendera, to defend
ScopesScopes
The prosecutionThe prosecution
countered withcountered with
William JenningsWilliam Jennings
Bryan, the three-Bryan, the three-
time Democratictime Democratic
presidentialpresidential
Darrow
Bryan
39. SCOPES TRIALSCOPES TRIAL
Trial opened on July 10,1925 and became a nationalTrial opened on July 10,1925 and became a national
sensationsensation
In an unusual move,In an unusual move, Darrow called Bryan to the standDarrow called Bryan to the stand
as an expert on the bible – key question:as an expert on the bible – key question: Should theShould the
bible bebible be interpreted literally?interpreted literally?
Under intense questioning, Darrow got Bryan to admitUnder intense questioning, Darrow got Bryan to admit
that the bible can be interpreted in different waysthat the bible can be interpreted in different ways
Nonetheless, Scopes was found guilty and fined $100Nonetheless, Scopes was found guilty and fined $100
Bryan
Darrow
40.
41. EDUCATION ANDEDUCATION AND
POPULARPOPULAR
CULTURECULTURE
During the 1920s,During the 1920s,
developments indevelopments in
education had aeducation had a
powerful impact on thepowerful impact on the
nation.nation.
Enrollment in highEnrollment in high
schools quadrupledschools quadrupled
between 1914 andbetween 1914 and
1926.1926.
Public schools met thePublic schools met the
challenge of educatingchallenge of educating
millions of immigrantsmillions of immigrants
42. Mass MediaMass Media
Increases in Mass media during the 1920sIncreases in Mass media during the 1920s
Print and broadcast methods of communication.Print and broadcast methods of communication.
Examples:Examples:
NewspapersNewspapers
MagazinesMagazines
RadioRadio
MoviesMovies
Newspapers:
27 million to 39 million
Increase of 42%
Motion Pictures:
40 million to 80 million
Increase of 100%
Radios:
60,000 to 10.2 million
Increase of 16,983%
43. EXPANDING NEWSEXPANDING NEWS
COVERAGECOVERAGE
Literacy increased in theLiteracy increased in the
1920s…1920s…
as a resultas a result
Newspaper and magazineNewspaper and magazine
circulation rose.circulation rose.
By the end of the 1920s…By the end of the 1920s…
10 American magazines --10 American magazines --
includingincluding Reader’s Digest,Reader’s Digest,
Saturday Evening Post,TimeSaturday Evening Post,Time
–– boasted circulations ofboasted circulations of
over 2 million a year.over 2 million a year.
Tabloids createdTabloids created
44. RADIO COMESRADIO COMES
OF AGEOF AGE
Although print mediaAlthough print media
was popular, radio waswas popular, radio was
the most powerfulthe most powerful
communications mediumcommunications medium
to emerge in the 1920s.to emerge in the 1920s.
News was deliveredNews was delivered
faster and to a largerfaster and to a larger
audience.audience.
Americans could hearAmericans could hear
the voice of thethe voice of the
president or listen to thepresident or listen to the
World Series live.World Series live.
45. ENTERTAINMENT ANDENTERTAINMENT AND
ARTSARTS
Even before sound,Even before sound,
movies offered amovies offered a
means of escapemeans of escape
through romance andthrough romance and
comedycomedy
ie. talkiesie. talkies
First sound movies:First sound movies:
Jazz SingerJazz Singer (1927)(1927)
First animated withFirst animated with
sound:sound: SteamboatSteamboat
WillieWillie (1928)(1928)
By 1930By 1930 millions ofmillions of
Americans went to theAmericans went to the
movies each weekmovies each week
Walt Disney's animated
Steamboat Willie marked the
debut of Mickey Mouse. It was
a seven minute long black and
white cartoon.
47. LINDBERGH’SLINDBERGH’S
FLIGHTFLIGHT Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh
Nickname: “Lucky Lindy”Nickname: “Lucky Lindy”
May 27, 1927: LindberghMay 27, 1927: Lindbergh
made the first nonstop solomade the first nonstop solo
trans-Atlantic flight.trans-Atlantic flight.
Spirit of St. LouisSpirit of St. Louis
NYC - ParisNYC - Paris
33 ½ hours later – (no auto pilot)33 ½ hours later – (no auto pilot)
$25,000 prize$25,000 prize
2yr old Son Charley2yr old Son Charley
kidnapped in 1932kidnapped in 1932
$50,000 ransom$50,000 ransom
murderedmurdered
48. Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart
1932: First female to1932: First female to
fly solo across thefly solo across the
AtlanticAtlantic
1935: First person to1935: First person to
fly from California tofly from California to
HawaiiHawaii
1937: Attempt to fly1937: Attempt to fly
around the worldaround the world
2/3 completed and2/3 completed and
went missing,went missing,
presumed dead.presumed dead.
49. AMERICAN HEROES OFAMERICAN HEROES OF
THE 20sTHE 20s
In 1929, AmericansIn 1929, Americans
spent $4.5 billion onspent $4.5 billion on
entertainment.entertainment.
(includes sports)(includes sports)
People crowded intoPeople crowded into
baseball games to seebaseball games to see
their heroestheir heroes
Babe RuthBabe Ruth was awas a
larger than lifelarger than life
American heroAmerican hero whowho
played for Yankeesplayed for Yankees
He hit 60 homers inHe hit 60 homers in
1927.1927.
50. MUSIC OF THE 1920sMUSIC OF THE 1920s
Famed composerFamed composer
George GershwinGeorge Gershwin
merged traditionalmerged traditional
elements with Americanelements with American
Jazz.Jazz.
Someone to Watch OverSomeone to Watch Over
MeMe
Embraceable YouEmbraceable You
I Got RhythmI Got Rhythm
Gershwin
51. EDWARD KENNEDY “DUKE”EDWARD KENNEDY “DUKE”
ELLINGTONELLINGTON
In the late 1920s,In the late 1920s,
Duke Ellington,Duke Ellington, a jazza jazz
pianistpianist andand
composer, led hiscomposer, led his
ten-piece orchestraten-piece orchestra
at the famousat the famous CottonCotton
Club.Club.
Band: “TheBand: “The
Washingtonians”Washingtonians”
Ellington won renownEllington won renown
as one ofas one of America’sAmerica’s
greatest composers.greatest composers.
52. LOUISLOUIS
ARMSTRONGARMSTRONG
Jazz was born in theJazz was born in the
early 20early 20thth
centurycentury
In 1922, a youngIn 1922, a young
trumpet player namedtrumpet player named
Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong
joined the Creole Jazzjoined the Creole Jazz
Band.Band.
Armstrong isArmstrong is
considered theconsidered the mostmost
important andimportant and
influential musicianinfluential musician inin
the history of jazzthe history of jazz
53. BESSIEBESSIE
SMITHSMITH
Bessie Smith, bluesBessie Smith, blues
singer, was perhapssinger, was perhaps
thethe most outstandingmost outstanding
vocalistvocalist of the decadeof the decade
She achievedShe achieved
enormous popularityenormous popularity
and by 1927 sheand by 1927 she
became thebecame the highest-highest-
paid black artist inpaid black artist in
the worldthe world
54. BILLIE HOLIDAYBILLIE HOLIDAY
Born Eleanora FaganBorn Eleanora Fagan
GoughGough
One of the most recognizableOne of the most recognizable
voices of the 20s and 30s.voices of the 20s and 30s.
Embraceable YouEmbraceable You
God Bless the ChildGod Bless the Child
Strange FruitStrange Fruit
56. Walt DisneyWalt Disney
Walt Disney onlyWalt Disney only
attended one year ofattended one year of
high school.high school.
He was the voice ofHe was the voice of
Mickey Mouse for twoMickey Mouse for two
decades.decades.
As a kid he lovedAs a kid he loved
drawing and painting.drawing and painting.
He won 32 AcademyHe won 32 Academy
Awards.Awards.
57. ART OF THE 1920sART OF THE 1920s
Georgia O’ KeeffeGeorgia O’ Keeffe
captured thecaptured the
grandeur of Newgrandeur of New
York using intenselyYork using intensely
colored canvasescolored canvases
Radiator Building,
Night, New York , 1927
Georgia O'Keeffe
58. WRITERS OFWRITERS OF
THE 1920sTHE 1920s
Writer F. ScottWriter F. Scott
FitzgeraldFitzgerald coinedcoined
the phrase “Jazzthe phrase “Jazz
Age” to describeAge” to describe
the 1920sthe 1920s
Fitzgerald wroteFitzgerald wrote
Paradise LostParadise Lost andand
The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby
The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby
reflected thereflected the
emptiness of Newemptiness of New
York elite societyYork elite society
59. WRITERS OF THEWRITERS OF THE
19201920
Ernest Hemingway,Ernest Hemingway, becamebecame
one of the best-known authorsone of the best-known authors
of the eraof the era
Wounded in World War IWounded in World War I
In his novels,In his novels, The Sun AlsoThe Sun Also
RisesRises andand AA Farewell to ArmsFarewell to Arms,,
he criticized the glorification ofhe criticized the glorification of
warwar
Moves to Europe to escape theMoves to Europe to escape the
life in the United States.life in the United States.
““Lost Generation” (Gertrude Stein)Lost Generation” (Gertrude Stein)
Group of people disconnectedGroup of people disconnected
from their country and its values.from their country and its values.
His simple, straightforwardHis simple, straightforward
Hemingway - 1929
60. THE HARLEM RENAISSANCETHE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Great MigrationGreat Migration sawsaw
hundreds ofhundreds of
thousands ofthousands of
African AmericansAfrican Americans
move north tomove north to bigbig
citiescities
1920:1920:
5 million of the5 million of the
nation’s 12 millionnation’s 12 million
blacks (over 40%)blacks (over 40%)
lived in citieslived in cities
Migration of the Negro by
Jacob Lawrence
61. HARLEM, NEW YORKHARLEM, NEW YORK
Harlem, NYHarlem, NY
became thebecame the largestlargest
black urbanblack urban
communitycommunity
Harlem sufferedHarlem suffered
from overcrowding,from overcrowding,
unemployment andunemployment and
povertypoverty
Home to literary andHome to literary and
artisticartistic revivalrevival
known as theknown as the
62. LANGSTONLANGSTON
HUGHESHUGHES
Missouri-bornMissouri-born LangstonLangston
HughesHughes was thewas the
movement’s best knownmovement’s best known
poetpoet
Many of his poemsMany of his poems
described thedescribed the difficultdifficult
lives of working-classlives of working-class
blacksblacks
““Thank you Ma’am”Thank you Ma’am”
Some of his poems wereSome of his poems were
put to musicput to music, especially, especially
jazz and bluesjazz and blues
63. Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan
Colonel William J SimmonsColonel William J Simmons
Revived organization in 1915Revived organization in 1915
1922: enrollment 4 million1922: enrollment 4 million
Attacks against:Attacks against:
African Americans, Catholics, Jews, immigrants andAfrican Americans, Catholics, Jews, immigrants and
others.others.
By night, whipped, beat and even killed.By night, whipped, beat and even killed.
By 1927 Klan activity diminished once again.By 1927 Klan activity diminished once again.
64. AFRICANAFRICAN
AMERICAN GOALSAMERICAN GOALS
Founded in 1909,Founded in 1909,
thethe NAACPNAACP urgedurged
African AmericansAfrican Americans
to protest racialto protest racial
violenceviolence
W.E.B DuboisW.E.B Dubois , a, a
founding member,founding member,
led a march ofled a march of
10,000 black men in10,000 black men in
NY to protestNY to protest
violenceviolence
65. MARCUS GARVEY -MARCUS GARVEY -
UNIAUNIA
Marcus Garvey believedMarcus Garvey believed
that African Americansthat African Americans
should build a separateshould build a separate
society (Africa)society (Africa)
In 1914, Garvey foundedIn 1914, Garvey founded
the Universal Negrothe Universal Negro
Improvement AssociationImprovement Association
Garvey claimed a millionGarvey claimed a million
members by the mid-members by the mid-
1920s1920s
Powerful legacy of blackPowerful legacy of black
pride, economicpride, economic
independence and Pan-independence and Pan-
AfricanismAfricanism
Garvey represented a more
radical approach
Hinweis der Redaktion
By the dawn of the 1920s, the United States had emerged from World War I as one of the world’s superpowers; however, it remained unwilling to accept the role of world leader. President Woodrow Wilson fell short of his goal of “making the world safe for democracy” with the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations when the Senate rejected the treaty. Without a U.S. presence in the League of Nations, the international organization lacked the credibility needed to maintain world peace.
Unwilling to consider the possibility of sending U.S. soldiers into another foreign war, most Americans favored an isolationist policy in dealing with international affairs. The election of Warren Harding in 1920 began a period of Republican Party dominance that lasted throughout the decade: from 1921 until 1933, Republicans controlled both the White House and Congress.
After the Senate’s rejection of the Treaty of Versailles and the defeat of the League of Nations, Republican leaders saw an opportunity to regain the White House after Democrat Woodrow Wilson’s two terms. They nominated Ohio Senator Warren G. Harding for president. Harding, realizing that Americans wanted to put the war behind them, promised to return the nation to “normalcy.” When questioned as to what the term meant, Harding explained that it referred not to the “old order,” but rather to “a steady way of doing things,… normal procedure, in a natural way, without excess.” However, it later became evident that he had little grasp of the major issues facing the country at the time. The Republicans nominated as Harding’s running mate Calvin Coolidge, who as Massachusetts governor had gained fame for breaking the Boston Police Strike.
The Democrats nominated Ohio Governor James M. Cox. His running mate was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had served as Undersecretary of the Navy after a career in New York state politics. Cox and Roosevelt promised to continue Wilson’s ideas as set forth in the Treaty of Versailles and to join the League of Nations.
The American public proved unwilling to continue the policies that they believed had entangled the United States in World War I, and the Democrats lost in a landslide. Harding and Coolidge received more than 60 percent of the popular vote, and more than 400 electoral votes.